Tips to Make Your Small Space Look Bigger

Even if your space is generous in terms of square footage, there will be times when you feel like you’re living in a shoebox. Is it the bulky furniture? The dark paint? Your collection of knick-knacks that you can’t seem to get rid of? All of the above?

Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that your space looks smaller than it actually is. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to create the illusion of space. Reclaim your living space with these tips to make your small space look bigger:

1. Go big on furnishings.

The norm is to use more dainty furnishings in small spaces, but designers suggest the opposite. By using bigger pieces, you create an illusion that the room is larger. For example, add a large makeshift headboard in your bedroom to trick the eyes into thinking the space is bigger. But avoid the urge to go overboard on your furnishing so it doesn’t look overwhelming.

2. Create a room within a room with furniture.

Our tendency is to push furniture against the wall, but designers recommend floating the furniture around the room. Even if it doesn’t feel like the space is being maximized, rearranging furniture to create a “room” really does make a room look bigger.

3. Hang your curtains, floor to ceiling.

Instead of having curtains measured exactly against your windows, have them hang from floor to ceiling. This creates an elongated line that makes windows and rooms look taller. To complete the look, hang matchstick blinds above the windows.

4. Stretch your space with stripes.

Want a graphic design element that suggests movement, but doesn’t look too busy? Go with stripes! Stripes in any direction create visual movement, and also suggest more space from ceiling to floor, or around the corner. The way the stripes wrap around a room also creates the illusion of a borderless place.

5. Go with lighter paint colors.

If stripes aren’t your thing, go for light colors on your walls. Though it’s true that dark colors can make a room feel cozy, they also give off the illusion of smaller space. So if you want to create the illusion of space, go with light colors like beige, cream, lavender, and light grayish-blue. That way, the light colors reflect and multiply the light in the room.